The University of Chicago is conducting a review of the “current practices, programs, and policies” at the Laboratory Schools, according to a Feb. 24 email to parents and employees from President Paul Alivisatos. His announcement emphasized the connection between institutions, and he invited all members of the community to engage in this process.
Dr. Alivisatos wrote, “The committee will explore how the Schools provide an environment for robust academics and integrate University values across all levels.”
A follow-up email from Director of Schools Tori Jueds reinforced the message, stating that Lab is partnering in the review.
Ms. Jueds wrote, “We embrace every opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve the Schools to provide what is best for our students and their future.”
Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, dean of the Harris School of Public Policy and a Lab parent, will be the chair of the review committee.
While Ms. Jueds is still learning about this review, she hopes that the review, reaccreditation self-study and LabVision strategic-planning initiative can all benefit each other.
“Any opportunity for us to learn and grow, I will always call that a good thing,” Ms. Jueds said in an interview with the U-High Midway.
She hopes that the review will be based on facts and not subjective perceptions others may have of Lab.
“In order for any assessment or assessment process of Lab to have integrity and to be fair and to be meaningful, it has to proceed from facts,” Ms. Jueds said. “I trust that will be what this review is about: that it will be based on facts, that it will be objective, it will be open-minded and that it will be productive for all of us for those reasons.”
Email from Dr. Alivisatos:
Dear Members of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Community,
Nearly every day I encounter people whose lives have been changed for the better by their Lab School experiences. These many encounters reinforce for me what we all know: the Laboratory Schools are extraordinary and are a vital part of the University of Chicago community.
Next year, we will mark 130 years since Lab’s founding. We will have opportunities to recognize the generations of students, families, faculty, and staff who have contributed to its flourishing over time. With much to celebrate, some of you may also be aware of questions and concerns about the direction of the Schools. To me it seems best that we seek a common and grounded understanding of the state of the Schools. This is therefore an opportune moment to assess the Schools and how they can best continue to be a model of early childhood, primary, and secondary education, both nationally and globally.
Today, I write to share that I am launching a review of the Laboratory Schools to evaluate current practices, programs, and policies, and to provide recommendations. The panel will be chaired by Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, dean of the Harris School of Public Policy, and will include both internal and external leaders. The committee will explore how the Schools provide an environment for robust academics and integrate University values across all levels. In the coming months, there will be opportunities for members of the Lab School community to engage in the review and to share feedback.
This review is timely as it will be complementary to the LabVision strategic planning process that Director Jueds is leading, as well as the self-student that is part of the current re-accreditation.
A defining distinction of Lab is its connection to the University. It is not just a home to the youngest members of the University community but a place that shares in a broader institutional culture. In its success, it has established a legacy built on a commitment to pushing the boundaries of education and fostering a diversity of viewpoints and experiences so intellectual curiosity can thrive.
I ask all of you as citizens of the Lab community, whether as faculty, as parents, students, alumni, or as Lab leaders, engage in this review with a view of enhancing the schools for the decades ahead. Thank you for taking up this important work on behalf of our entire community.
Sincerely,
Paul
Email from Ms. Jueds:
Dear Lab Parents,
I hope this finds you all well. A few moments ago you received a letter from President Paul Alivisatos announcing a University-led review of the Laboratory Schools. We at Lab are looking forward to partnering in this review. As you know, Lab is a community of lifelong learners. We embrace every opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve the Schools to provide what is best for our students and their future.
It is a privilege to be part of such an outstanding educational endeavor as Lab, with a vibrant student body, a dedicated parent community, and an expert faculty and staff committed to actualizing strong academics, social-emotional learning, and the work of honoring diversity in developmentally appropriate ways for students from age 3 to 18. We greatly value our connection to and membership in the University of Chicago community, which we have highlighted as a fundamental element of this year’s LabVision process. Through LabVision and our ISACS accreditation cycle, we seek to maximize Lab’s many strengths as well as to address our areas of growth, and we trust that this review will enhance this ongoing work.
I would like to thank members of our community, in advance, for your willingness to engage in the review. You will hear more as details and scope of the process are discerned. Meanwhile, enjoy these milder temperatures and take good care.
Sincerely yours,
Tori Jueds
Director of Schools
